Convertible chair.



1.1. PORTER.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION m50 APR.17,|s1s.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEE l.

I. l. PORTER.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I7, l9l8. 1,286,094. Patented Nov. 26, 191sy 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mmlllIIIlI I| Il UNTTED sTaTns PATENT enteren.

JOHN J'. PORTER, 0F OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN J. PORTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Omaha, county of Douglas, and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in convertible chairs, and has for its object the production of a device of this character, in which a folding chair will be provided, capable of ready and easy adjustment to any position desired by the occupant thereof. A further object is the production of a chair as mentioned, which ris capable of conversion into a table. A still further object is the production of an article of furniture of the character mentioned, which will be of durable and economical construction and highly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1, is a central vertical section of a chair embodying the invention, the same being shown in chair-forming condition,

Fig. 2, a central section of the upper portion of the chair showing the latter in table-forming condition,

lFig. 3, a detail section taken on substantially line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4, a detail perspective view illustrating the connection of-the table top forming member with the back of the chair,

Fig. 5, a front elevation of the chair as seen in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6, a top plan view of the device in table-forming condition.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a base consisting of two spaced bottom members 10 which are rigidly connected by cross pieces 11 and 12. Arising from the members 1() are two posts or struts 13, at the upper end of each of which is provided a cross piece 14, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. Pivotally con nected at 15 to the rearward ends of members 14 are two spaced bars 16, and pivotally connected at 17 with the front ends of members 14 are two spaced bars 18. EXtending Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 17, 1918. Serial No. 229,056.

between and pivotally connecting the bars 16 and 18 below the members 14 is a seat'- forming member constituted by bars 19 provided with an upholstering 20, the ends of bars 19 being pivotally connected with the bars 16 and 18. The arrangement is such that the bars 16 and 18 serve to support said seat, while, at the same time, said seat serves to hold the bars 16 and 18 in parallel relation with each other.

Extending between and pivotally con nected with the upper ends of the bars 16 and 18 at the same side of the chair is an arm rest 21, the arrangement being such that the arm rests 21 will normally be held in horizontal position, being adapted to move freely with the bars 16 and 18 when the latter are pivoted about the points 15 and 17.

The lower end portions of the bars 18 constitute a leg rest, the same being spanned by a member 22 which is connected at its lateral edges with said bars.

' Pivotally connected at 23 with the lower ends of bars 18 is a foot rest constituted by a holder or guide 24 in which is slidably mounted a leaf or foot rest proper 24. Said foot rest is constantly held in horizontal position, irrespective of the angular disposition of bars 18 by means of bars 25 which extend between and pivotally connect the member 24 with the bars 19, said bars 25 being arranged parallel with the bars 18, as clearly seen in Fig. 1.

I-Iingedly connected at 26 with the upper ends of bars 16 are extensions 27. The bars 16 and 27 form the back of the chair, and to this end are provided with upholstering 28 and 28', respectively, the arrangement being such that the upper portion of the back of the chair, that is, that portion above the hinges 26, will be permitted to rock forwardly and assume horizontal position, the upper portion of the back, when in horizontal position, being supported upon the upper ends of bars 18.

Carried at the rearward side of the back of the chair is a table top-forming member 29, provided with cleats 30, which are positioned for registration with the bars 16 and 27. The adjacent sides of bars 16 and 27, and bars 30 are formed with dove-tailed slots 31 and 32, respectively, the slots 32 in the cleats 30 being engaged by correspondingly formed blocks 33 provided at the upper ends ofbars 27, and the slots 31 in the bars 16 and 27 being engaged by blocks 34k of corresponding form provided at the lower ends of cleats 30. The arrangement is such, as will be seen, that the table topforming member will be slidably mounted upon the back of the chair, said table top, when the blocks 34 thereof are engaged with the slots 31 in the bars 16, as seen in Fig. 1, being adapted to lock the upper end of the back of the chair against pivotal movement. /Vhen it is desired. to release the upper end of the back of the chair, it is `necessary to first slide the table top-form- -ing member 29 upwardly to carry the blocks 34 above the hinges 26, whereupon the upper end of the back of the chair will be entirely free so as to permit of forward swinging thereof to,` horizontal position, as seen in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. lVhen the device is in this condition, the same constitutes a table, the sliding mounting of the top thereof permitting of the same being slid outwardly, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6, to allow the same projecting for instance over a sick bed, thus adapting the device for advantageous use in a hospital or sick room. Forward sliding of the table top member 29, as mentioned, is limited through engagement of blocks 34 with the blocks 33, as seen in Fig. 2. When said table top member 29 is in rearward position, that is, not extended, the same is coplanar' with the upperl sides of arm rests 21, which, in this case, form a part of the top of the table, as will be readily understood.

When the device is in chair forming condition, as seen in Fig. 1, it will be seen that a chair is provided which is foldable or flexible to a maximum extent, the arrangement being such that the seat, back, leg rest, foot rest, and arm rests are all foldably connected together and pivotally mounted for movement about the points 15 and 17 of the base of the chair. With this arrangement the occupant, by simply eX- erting his pressure against the movable parts of the chair, as mentioned, may readily and easily adjust the same to upright, reclining, or semi-reclining position, as may be desired, the arrangement being such that the parts will move automatically and simultaneously with the movementof the body of the occupant.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying: my invention into effect, this is caed back adapted to assume horizontal position; and means for locking said back in upright position, said means comprising a bar having sliding dove-tailed connection with said back, and a relatively stationary portion of the chair, substantially as described.

2. A chair comprising a swingingly mounted back, adapted to assume horizontal position; andl means for locking said back in upright position, said means comprising a member slidably engaging said backand a relatively stationary portion of the chair, said member when slid from engagement with one of said parts, permitting swinging of the backto horizontal position, substantially as described.

'3. A chair comprising a swingingly mounted back, adapted to assume horizontal position; means for locking said back in upright position, said means comprising a member slidably engaging said back and a relatively stationary portion of the chair, said member, when slid from engagement with said stationary portion of the chair permitting of swinging of the back to horizontal position; and a table-top forming member carried by said member, substantially as'described.

l. A chair comprising a swingingly mounted back adapted to assume horizontalv position; a table top forming membercarried by said back and adapted to assume operative position when said back is in horizontal position; and arm rests adapted when said table top forming member is in operative position, to coperate therewith and constitute a part of the table top, substantially as'described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of twov subscribing witnesses.

JOHN J. PORTER.

Witnesses:

JOSHUA R. H. Po'r'rs, HELEN F. LrLLIs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained-for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G, 

